Counterweighting apparatus for lift bridges and the like



June 12, 1928.

S. HARDESTY COUNTERWEIGHTING APPARATUS FOR LIFT BRIDGES AND THE LIKE 2Sheets-Shet Filed Feb. 17, 1927 ATTORNEY June 12, 1928. 1,673,359

S. HARDESTY COUNTERWEIGHTING APPARATUS FOR LIFT BRIDGES AND THE'LIKEFiled Feb. 17, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i g [Qw/WVN Patented June 12, 1928.

unrrsn stares snonrmnon nnnnnsry, or Lnncnnonr, in

roan, lemma To WilnnnLLa HA R DESTY, or new Yer-.11, n. Y., a.COPARTNERSI-IIIE consrsrins on JOHN A. L.

WADDELL AND MYSELF.

ooon'rnnwnrorrrrns nrrannros ronnrr r ermine. n'nn THE LIKE.

Application nlodfie'oruary 17, 1927. Serial No. 168 1861.

The invention provides certain improvenients in the connections of thecounterweights to the ropes by which they are carried, and is applicableto lift bridges and various other structures which employ heavy weightssuspended from a plurality of ropes. The accompanying drawings illustrte the invention in connection with a vertical li'l't bridge.

Fig. l is a side elevation of the connections at one end or acounterweight;

Fin. 2 is a lace elevation ot the same;

3 is a plan of one of theguide blocks for the ropes;

Fin. 4 is an elevation of a portion of one of the blocks;

Fig.1. 5 is a section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3; r

Fig. 6 a plan of one of the sheaves over which the ropes run, with aguide block below it;

Fig. T is a diagranimaticside elevation of the Bridge omitting theoperating gear.

The lift span 1 is carried hetween towers 2. From the ends of the spanropes 3 lead up over sheaves. or pulleys l to counterweights 5. In 1 andQ'there is illustrated a single equalizing systen'i. Olin narily this isduplicated at each end oi? each counterweight.

lhe counterweight 5 has an ruiwarrlly jecting portion G by which it issupported. The part 6 is pivotally connected directly to an equalizerbar 7 of structural steel; which is pivotally connected at its uppercorners to simila equalizerbars 8. These are pivotally connected theirupper corners through links 9 to similar equalizer bars 10 arranged in atransverse plane: and the latter in turn to equalizer bars 11 to whichare pivotally attached the rope soclrets 12, which are connected to theends of the several ropes The arrangement is such that the sockets andrope ends are in tour compact rows of tour ropes each; the tour ropes ineach row (Fig. 3) being eqrialized with each other through the bars 11and 10 and the four rows (or equalizers 10) being equalized with eachother.

through the bars 8 and 7.

Above the equalizing system means are provided for holding the severalropes in fixed lateral relation with one another. A block 13 separatesthe ropes 3 as they run pro 7 downward from the sheave into two main"groups of eight ropes, one group on each sheave from which the "ropesrun down to the counterweight. From each side of the block there is agroup of tour ropes which lead downward and inward as at 3, while theother four ropes from thesame sideof the clock lead downward and outwardas at 3". The tension on the ropes in the group l (l fl" holds themclose in against the The ropes which lead to the outer rows of socl: areretained in posi tion against the block or spreader 13 by means ofplates it which are fastened by bolts 15. Each plate 'l l has aneye-bolt 16 on the top by which it can be handled. The bolting ottheplateslt makes it easy to replace detective ropes as required, withoutthe necessity of removal otthe rope sod:- ets. The rope grooves in theblocks 13 and plates 14 may be straight itdesired. But it is preferableto bring them in straight and parallel at the top as in Fig. 4 and tocarry them outiat the bottom in the direc trons of the sockets to whichthey are to be connected, and also to curve them in the other plane inthe directions of the extreme leads oi? 'tl'ieropes as shown in Fig. 5.

In F 1 all theropes 8, as illustrated in full line converge upward. Thisis the position when the counteriveight is up near the sheave over head.When the Weights down to the lowest position the angle oi the ropesleading up from the block 13 is much less, beino; ne'arly parallel asindicated in do ted lines for the lowest position of the weight. Sincethero'pes are held in lined lateral relation by the block, the up perportionsthereot can vary their angular positions without changing; theposition of the equalizer bars. This practically elimirates the usualnoise and wear of the equalzer liars and pins as the weight rises andfalls. I It will also be seen by referring to Fig. 1 that the maximumdeflection of the ropes by the block 13 is comparatively slight and thateach row of ropes is at some time during the motion of the counterweightsubjected to practically no deflection, and passes between the block 18and plates let in essentially a straight line. For these reasons theizer har T.

proper functioning ol the equalizer liars is not hindered by anymaterial friction ol' the I'OI'KS with the block and plates.

The bloel; l3 is held in position by means of struts 17 riveted at.their upper ends to plates 18 on the ends of the block and at theirlower ends to plates 19 "fastened on the ends of the pin 20 by which thebracket; (3 is pivotally connected to the l()\YC. i3 equal- The verticalconnionents oi the rope pressurea on the guide are conniarative lyslight because ol'the, slight li'ltiXlIHtllli deflection of the ropes.The verti *al coinpouents vary from a downward to an apward pressure asthe counter weightfalls. The ropes are -apable of movement sepa atel vthrough the block 13 to allow the equalizers to function freely.

If desired. the blocks 12, can he made suflicientlv wide to be retainedin position h v the inner rows of ropeF. and to maintain contact at alltimes with the outer rows. Said outer rows would then he tree to lile onthe lilfitli. and the plates Ll and strut. 17. or other eonnect imis.could be dispensed with. \Ve prefer. however. to maintain the rigidconnection to the counterweieht or equalizer pins to locate the lllUtliand hold it securely in proper position.

Various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdepartingfrom the invention as defined in the following claims.

\Vhat I claim is:

1. A eountierweightine' apparatus for lift; bridges and the likeincluding in combination a weight. a sheave, ropes leading over aaidsheave. equalizers for distributing the pull of the weight to theseveral ropes and means between the equalizers and the sheave forholding the upper parts of the several ropes in two groups in adjacentplanes parallel to the axis of the sheave, the ropes in each plane beingin fixed lateral relation to one another.

2. A counterweighting apparatus for lift bridges and the like includingin combination a weight, a sheave, ropes lalding over said sheave.equalizers for distributing the pull of the weight to the seve 'al ropesand a. guide block engaging the ropes between the sheave and theequalizers and holding and detaiihah retaining nienihers l'or holdmy theropee: in such migrae zu nt.

l. -i. counter-w 'ltine' apparatu; includins: in eon'ihiuation a wright,a :h ave. rop s leading over said sheave. er ualizew l'or d trihutin g'the pu l t the weight to the reveral ropes. a guide lll itk engaging!the ropes lit! tween the Fit ed the eqnali7mi1-- and separa ine' them ino groups c nv rging l'roin the guide. llorl; towa l'orr-ll1)l)()!'tlll,t the guide block l'roni the weight.

.1 counterweighting apparatus iu 'lu'lfire in eondfin: tlou a weight. asheave. ropw' leading over :-aid reheave, elp'ali: .er tor dietrihutine'the pull oi the weight to the e\'- eral ro 'ies. a guide blot-l; eug:ping the ropes l'iet'ween the a leave and the eoualizera and separatingthem into groups eonvereiiny from the guide block toward the s-thea.'e,said guide block carrying the, ropes in groove. which are curved attheir upper ends in a direction to permit the upper portions oi theropea to eonverge at. a varying angle. (3. A. counteiwveiglitinirtlldlttltlillr in -huh ing in con'ibination a, w ht. a :heare. rot/exleading over said :-heave. eipializen l'or di. illl'ltlillig the pullor" the weight to the several ropes, a guide block erie'agjin; the ropesbetween the sheave and the ripatlizen and epa 'ating them into groupseonvri'gjing, from the guide hloclt toward the sheave, some of said ropetil") converging also iroin the block toward the equalizers o as to holdthe block in place between then].

in witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

rd th sheave and :-tru

tut l Hit)

